Neanderthal paintings

[David R. Griffiths]

I am currently looking into the period when neanderthals and homosapiens lived
together in Europe. Apparently they even intermarried but not successfully.

Are there any references on cave paintings from Neanderthal?

Apparently there were cultic ceremonies and burial suggesting religious
imagination. There was also cannibalism. But so also from sap of course.

David.

[Frank Timmermans]

Sorry to disappoint you, but there is no evidence for cave art made by
Neanderthals

[Carolyn Thomas]

"David R. Griffiths" wrote:

> I am currently looking into the period when neanderthals and homosapiens lived
> together in Europe. Apparently they even intermarried but not successfully.
>
> Are there any references on cave paintings from Neanderthal?
>
> Apparently there were cultic ceremonies and burial suggesting religious
> imagination. There was also cannibalism. But so also from sap of course.
>
> David.

Hi David,

Unfortunately there is very little evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthal
and Homo Sapiens. I believe the evidence comes from one excavated individual who
appears to show anatomical traits of both Neandertals and Homo Sapiens. This is
however highly disputed within archaeological circles largely because of the age
of the individual (around 10 years of age). It is felt by some that identification
of anatomically identifying traits in juveniles is dangerous as a scientific
practice as such traits may be affected by the age of the individual.

As for the cave painting by Neandertals, there are no known examples of cave art
linked to Neandertal populations in either Europe or the Middle East. There is
very little evidence of any kind of symbolic behavior by Neandertals in the
Palaeolithic.
Have a look at the following references for more information:

HARROLD, F. 1980. A comparative analysis of Eurasian Paleolithic burials.
World Archaeology 12:195-210.

CHASE, P. G., AND H. L. DIBBLE. 1987. Middle Paleolithic symbolism: A review of
current evidence and interpretations.
Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 6:263-96.

For a good review of cave art during the paleolithic, see anything by Paul Bahn in
particular:
Bahn, Paul G. Journey through the Ice Age
London : Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1997.

As for the Cannibalism, see:

Cave evidence chews up cannibalism claims. (new study casts doubt on assumption
that Neandertals practiced cannibalism in Italy's Guattari Cave) Bruce Bower.
Science News June 1, 1991 v139 n22 p341(1)

Regards

Carolyn